Sister Anne (yacht) facts for kids
HMS Sister Anne in service in World War II as headquarters ship for the Chief of Combined Operations
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | Sister Anne |
| Owner | Daisy Fellowes |
| Port of registry | Portsmouth, England |
| Builder | Camper and Nicholsons, Gosport |
| Yard number | 364 |
| Launched | 12 June 1929 |
| Completed | 1929 |
| Out of service | 1940 |
| Reinstated | 1946 |
| Identification |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | HMS Sister Anne |
| In service | September 1940 |
| Out of service | December 1945 |
| Fate | Sold |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Luxury steel motor yacht |
| Tonnage |
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| Length | 123.2 ft (37.6 m) bp |
| Beam | 21.5 ft (6.6 m) |
| Depth | 7.2 ft (2.2 m) |
| Installed power | 500 hp (370 kW) |
| Propulsion | twin screw |
| Crew | 24 |
The Sister Anne was a fancy motor yacht built in 1929. It was made by Camper and Nicholsons in Gosport for a rich French lady named Daisy Fellowes. During World War II, the yacht had an important job. First, it was a place for Polish sailors to stay. Later, it became the main office for a group called Combined Operations.
Building the Sister Anne
The Sister Anne was a motor yacht made of steel. It was built in 1929 by Camper and Nicholsons in Gosport, which is near Portsmouth Harbour. The yacht was made for Daisy Fellowes, who was a very wealthy person.
The yacht was about 130.0 ft (39.6 m) long. It was 21.5 ft (6.6 m) wide and 7.2 ft (2.2 m) deep. It had special rooms for the owner and four guest rooms. Two powerful 5-cylinder Gardner engines, with a total of 500 hp (370 kW), made the yacht move. These engines turned two propellers.
The Sister Anne was launched into the water on June 12, 1929. After it was finished, it was officially registered in Portsmouth. It was given the Official Number 160918 and the signal letters GTDQ.
Life Before World War II
The Sister Anne was usually based in Monte Carlo. It often sailed around the Mediterranean Sea.
In May 1930, the yacht had a small fire while sailing near the Balearic Islands. Luckily, the crew of another ship, the City of London, helped put out the fire. The Sister Anne was then able to continue its trip.
Many famous people visited the yacht in the 1930s. These guests included the writer Elsa Maxwell and the artist Cecil Beaton.
In September 1937, a Greek warship fired warning shots near the yacht. This happened because the Sister Anne had entered a special military area near the island of Aegina. The yacht's captain was briefly arrested. He was released the next day after explaining that the area was not marked on his maps. A similar event happened again in August 1938.
When World War II started, the Sister Anne was in Cannes, France. In 1940, a Russian dancer named Nina Tarakanova used the yacht to escape to Gibraltar. From there, she and other passengers sailed safely to England.
In September 1940, the British Navy, called The Admiralty, rented the Sister Anne. It was used as a place for sailors to live, especially for the crews of Polish Navy boats. The yacht was based in Fowey.
In May 1941, the Navy bought the yacht. From October 1941 to October 1943, the Sister Anne became the main office for the Chief of Combined Operations. This important role was held by Lord Louis Mountbatten.
After the War
_Fellowes_by_John_Singer_Sargent_(1856-1925).jpg)
After World War II ended, the Sister Anne was taken out of service in December 1945. It was later sold. By 1951, the yacht was back in use by its original owner, Daisy Fellowes. It was based in Cannes and was again used by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.
